In the meantime, here are some tips to share in your local community on how to have a safe and burn-free summer.

Grilling

Did you know that on average, 7,100 home fires per year involve gas grills? Or that another 1,200 home fires involve charcoal or solid-fueled grills every year? (source: Washington Post)

Never add starter fluid to hot or warm coals while grilling. This can result in an uncontrollable and dangerous fire

Make sure grills are kept away from anything that is combustible

Make sure coals are completely cool before disposing of them

·If you use a propane grill, leave the fuel valve shut when it is not in use

Fireworks

Fireworks are entertaining, but can also cause serious injuries. In 2010, there were approximately 15,000 reported fires, 60 civilian injuries and $36 million in property damage all caused by fireworks. Tom Flamm, IAFF Burn Coordinator and former retired Chicago Local 2 fire fighter, says, “Leave the fireworks to the professionals.”

Remind people that sparklers can’t be used indoors

Wear long sleeves when burning sparklers, and make sure it's clothing that will not easily catch fire.

Keep a bucket of water or sand handy in case of fire

Camp Fires

When camping, it’s important to understand the fundamentals of building and disposing of a camp fire.

Camp fires should be built downward. Poorly managed fires are the frequent cause of forest fires

Do not add flammable liquids to the fire

Never leave a camp fire unattended – this a common mistake that ultimately puts people in great danger

When extinguishing your camp fire be sure to use lots of water to make sure the embers are fully out. One way to tell is when the hissing sound stops as you pour water on the fire

If you don’t have any water, substitute sand or dirt and stir them in with the embers and ashes

Burn safety is very important and should be taken seriously. The most common burns are scald burns. These painful burns can be prevented by installing anti-scald units in bath tubs and turning down water heaters.

If the unthinkable happens and if your clothes catch fire, remember to…